Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Scott Jensen is a pioneering marine roboticist and molecular ecologist whose work has fundamentally changed how we explore the ocean's invisible inhabitants. His primary research focuses on developing autonomous platforms for *in situ* molecular sensing, with a major emphasis on environmental DNA (eDNA) collection and the detection of harmful algal toxins. Jensen’s most significant contribution is the development of the Environmental Sample Processor (ESP), an autonomous robotic device that conducts molecular biological analyses below the ocean surface. This breakthrough, detailed in his 2006 paper (33 citations), allows for real-time, remote detection of microorganisms and toxins, eliminating the need for time-consuming sample return. His 2009 field trials (84 citations) successfully demonstrated the ESP’s ability to detect domoic acid, a potent neurotoxin, directly in the water column. More recently, Jensen has pushed the boundaries of autonomous sampling with the FIDO robot and a 2023 study (32 citations) that used an uncrewed surface vessel to collect eDNA across a 4,200-km transect of the eastern Pacific. His work, primarily at MBARI, is not only highly cited but also commercially and operationally impactful, providing critical tools for monitoring ocean health, harmful algal blooms, and biodiversity at unprecedented scales.